While security remains foundational to multifamily housing, forward‑thinking apartment operators are rapidly adopting intelligent video as a strategic business decision—unlocking insights that improve NOI, streamline operations, elevate the resident experience, and enable automation at scale.

According to a recent report by Axis Communications, intelligent video is evolving far beyond traditional surveillance. The report outlines how modern camera systems are becoming active contributors to decision‑making in high‑impact environments, from manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters, to multi-residential apartment buildings.

“Modern camera systems in apartment buildings are no longer limited to recording incidents after they occur,” says Michael Almeyda, Business Development Manager at Axis. “With built-in analytics and edge intelligence, they can help property teams understand activity across entrances, common areas, and amenities in real time – turning video into actionable insight that supports safer, more responsive, and more efficiently managed spaces.”

At the same time, Almeyda says the systems help enhance the tenant experience by improving safety and enabling faster responses to issues: “A more secure and well-managed environment increases resident satisfaction and can contribute to stronger tenant retention.”

Key findings from the report

• Expanding Business Impact: Use of video for business intelligence has nearly doubled in one year (from 20% to 38%), with 42 per cent of organizations now leveraging it to drive operational efficiency—mirroring multifamily’ s push toward centralized operations and portfolio‑wide visibility.
• Evolving Customer Priorities: Sixty‑four per cent of end users cite infrastructure modernization as their top driver, while 44 per cent identify cybersecurity as a critical priority—both central concerns for apartment operators upgrading aging systems and protecting resident data.
• Accelerating Cloud Adoption: Cloud use in physical security is expected to rise from 27 to 44 per cent within two years, reflecting growing demand for remote management, centralized monitoring, and scalable solutions across distributed apartment portfolios.
• Demand for Platform Integration: Forty‑one per cent of customers now expect unified platforms, underscoring the importance of integrating video with access control, property‑management systems, and smart‑building technologies.

Taken together, the findings highlight the priorities shaping the next phase of video deployment in multifamily housing – from infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity to cloud adoption and system integration.

“For apartment operators, that points to a clear path forward: upgrading legacy systems, enabling analytics, and integrating video with other building technologies so it can support faster maintenance response, stronger oversight, and more efficient portfolio management,” says Almeyda. “The starting point is understanding what their current systems are capable of supporting.”

A practical framework involves assessing three core areas:

• the strength and security of the underlying infrastructure,
• the system’s ability to generate operational insight through analytics,
• and, how well video integrates with other buildings such as access control or property management platforms.

Together, these elements help determine whether video is simply capturing footage or actively supporting more efficient building operations.

“Ultimately, it starts with knowing what your existing systems can and cannot do,” says Almeyda.“By evaluating how modern the infrastructure is, whether analytics are providing meaningful insight, and how well video connects with other building technologies, apartment operators can identify the gaps and take practical steps toward more intelligent, data-driven property operations.”

Michael Almeyda, Business Development Manager at Axis Canada, drives innovation in audio, intercoms, and access control. With 17+ years of industry experience, he’s led notable projects in healthcare and education, leveraging his expertise to enhance safety and communication. A certified Axis and Security Professional, Michael brings a unique blend of technical knowledge and customer-centric approach.